
If you haven’t heard of Gloriavale yet, strap in because Paramount+’s new documentary, Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal, aims to take audiences deep into the New Zealand commune that partly inspired The Handmaid’s Tale.
The three-part series, which arrives next month, offers unprecedented access to the controversial religious sect that has been the subject of criminal convictions and governmental actions.
The trailer for the series, exclusive to TV Insider, shows that the series will not only outline the history of this organization, including its legal and societal conflicts, but also speak with those who are still proudly part of it.
Here’s what else there is to know about Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal.
When does Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal premiere?
The three-part docuseries arrives on Paramount+ on Tuesday, June 2.
What is Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal about?
The docuseries centers on the Gloriavale commune, located in Haupiri in New Zealand’s South Island, which has a population of several hundred people living in the strictures of an isolated religious society.

The official description for the series tells us, “Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal explores one of the world’s most controversial religious communities. For 50 years, Gloriavale has lived in isolation, bound by strict rules, until allegations of abuse and cover-ups shattered its secrecy. Now, with rare access, exclusive interviews, and decades of unseen archival footage, the docuseries reveals the secret life inside the community. Members vehemently deny they’re in a cult and defend their way of life, while former residents recount mistreatment, control, and deep personal cost. As legal battles loom for this community, Devotion exposes a hidden world under intense scrutiny.”
What else is there to know about Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal?
As the trailer notes, the Gloriavale commune is credited with inspiring parts of The Handmaid’s Tale, particularly the wardrobing, with its female members wearing bonnets and robes as a sign of submission. In the trailer, a member of the community reacts with glee over that fact. The series is directed by Nicole Rittenmeyer.
News
BBC’S BRUTAL NEW CRIME DRAMA IS BEING CALLED THE NEXT MOBLAND — A RUTHLESS DUBLIN FAMILY WA-R FILLED WITH BETRAYALS, POWER PLAYS AND SH0CK TWISTS
Originally airing on RTÉ in 2021, Kin is an Irish-set crime drama that follows two feuding families in Dublin, led by rival leaders Frank Kinsella (Aidan Gillen) and Eamon Cunningham (Ciarán Hinds). Co-created by Peter McKenna (The Last Kingdom, Red Rock) and…
‘YOU BROUGHT OUT ANDRA DAY?!’ — STEPHEN COLBERT GOES FROM LAUGHING TO COMPLETELY SPEECHLESS AFTER JON STEWART TURNS HIS FINAL LATE SHOW VISIT INTO AN EMOTIONAL AMBUSH NOBODY SAW COMING
Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 2 Even though it’s bittersweet for Stephen Colbert as he nears the end of The Late Show, Jon Stewart quite literally lifted the host’s spirits on Tuesday….
‘PEOPLE CAN SEE IT WITH THEIR OWN EYES’ — PETER FORD’S COMMENTS ABOUT MELBOURNE CBD STRIKE A NERVE AS LOCALS SHARE THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has lashed out at the state of Melbourne’s city centre, a month after quitting his hometown in disgust. Ford, who regularly appears on Channel 7, shared a video on X on Monday, which showed damage and graffiti to…
‘THIS ISN’T THE MELBOURNE PEOPLE REMEMBER…’ — PETER FORD SPEAKS OUT ON CHANGING CBD SCENES AS DEBATE OVER THE CITY’S FUTURE INTENSIFIES
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has lashed out at the state of Melbourne’s city centre, a month after quitting his hometown in disgust. Ford, who regularly appears on Channel 7, shared a video on X on Monday, which showed damage and graffiti to…
P0LITICAL TENSIONS RISE… — CHRIS MINNS’ COMMENTS ON THE ALBANESE GOVERNMENT LEAVE OBSERVERS ASKING WHETHER LAB0R IS STARTING TO SPLIT ON KEY ISSUES
NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns has broken ranks with his own party to criticise the Albanese government over bracket creep, arguing the 47 per cent top marginal tax rate means high-income earners are effectively spending almost half the week working…
‘SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT…’ — NSW PREMIER CHRIS MINNS BREAKS FROM EXPECTED PARTY LINE WITH COMMENTS THAT SPARK FRESH DEBATE OVER ALBANESE GOVERNMENT
NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns has broken ranks with his own party to criticise the Albanese government over bracket creep, arguing the 47 per cent top marginal tax rate means high-income earners are effectively spending almost half the week working…
End of content
No more pages to load